Walking and journey times are approximate.

Day: 2 Arrive Cusco (Overnight in Cusco hotel).

Fly from Lima to Cusco.  Transfer to hotel.  The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise.  Take a look round Cusco’s beautiful Main Square with its colonial architecture or take an optional city tour (this can be arranged at our office).

Day: 3 Tour of the Sacred Valley (Overnight in Cusco).

Travel through the Sacred Valley and visit the towns and Inca ruins of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo.  Get a chance to learn a little about the local people, their way of life and their traditional weaving techniques.  Return in the evening to Cusco where your guide will give a briefing on the Salkantay trek.

After an early morning start our panoramic bus ride (about 3 hours) brings us to the village of Mollepata where we meet up with our wranglers. From here we start gently, climbing rural paths through the crops of the locals towards Marcoccasa (3450 mts/11’400 ft). After lunch we continue hiking for another hour uphill to our first camp at Hornadapata (3500 mts/11’550 ft) from where we have some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.  Approx. walking time 3 hours

Day: 5 MARCOCCASA - SALKANTAY PAMPA

After breakfast we have a short ascent to the Pakiswaraka Ridge (3665 mts/12’100 ft), from where we continue on an easy path towards the water canal built by the community. From this point we can enjoy beautiful views into the valley and towards the majestic Mt. Humantay. We continue on a nice flat path along the canal into the valley until lunchtime. In the afternoon we have another 1-2 hours of gentle climbing to our camp at Salkantay Pampa (3900 mts/12’900 ft) right below Apu Salkantay, offering some breathtaking views of this spectacular mountain (prepare for a cold night).   .  Approx. walking time 3 ½ hours.

Day: 6 SALKANTAY PAMPA - ACCOBAMBA

In the morning we start refreshed for our climb, passing glaciers and lakes on the way up to the Salkantay Pass (5000 mts/16’500 ft and highest point of our hike). From the summit we descend for approximately 3 hours into the valley where we camp at Accobamba, beside an Inca canal. This is a famous alpaca breeding region and with luck we may observe large flocks of these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Weather permitting we will have the most spectacular views of Mt. Salkantay above us.

Today we leave the cold heights of Salkantay behind us and descend into warmer regions, following the Inca canal and later the Cusichaca creek, passing local farms. We stop at the restored archaeological group of Paucarcancha for lunch, with time to explore the site and rest. Here we say goodbye to our wranglers and meet up with the Quechuan porters who will accompany us for the rest of our adventure. A short hike brings us mid afternoon to the start of the Inca Trail at the village of Huayllabamba where we camp for the night (3000 mts/9’900 ft).

Day: 8 HUAYLLABAMBA-PACASMAYO

After an early breakfast we start our long and steep climb up to Warmiwañusca Pass (4200 mts/13’900 ft) which is the highest point on the Inca Trail. The ascent leads through different ecological levels that offer a variety of orchids and birds (many endemic to the area). From the summit we can view the next pass, the ruins of Runcuracay and our camp down in the valley which we will reach after a 2 hour descent. On a clear day the camp offers fantastic views towards the glaciers of Mount Veronica.  Approx. walking time 7 hours.

Day: 9 PACASMAYO – PHUYUPATAMARCA.

Today is the most diverse day of our adventure. We start in the morning with the climb up to the third pass at Runcuracay (3900 mts/12’900 ft) with fantastic views of the Vilcabamba Range with its glaciers. A 2 hour descent brings us to the fascinating archaeological site of Sayacmarca. After exploring this beautiful construction we continue - now on original Inca stone paths - through high cloud forest with its lush vegetation, offering glimpses of waterfalls, valleys, canyons and the glaciers of Salkantay. In the afternoon we arrive at our campsite at last high pass of Phuyupatamarca (3600 mts/11’900 ft) from where we will get our first glimpse of Machupicchu. Weather permitting we will have the most spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks and far way down the Urubamba River.  Approx. walking time 6 hours.

Day: 10 PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (Overnight Aguas Calientes)

After breakfast we say goodbye to our Quechuan porters and start the long and steep descent (over Inca staircases) towards the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, considered one of the most beautiful sites in the area due to its location and architecture. We visit this magnificent site and enjoy lunch in fantastic surroundings before we continue our hike through high cloud forest with its diverse flora and fauna towards the famous Sungate or Intipunku. From here we can enjoy the first and best view of the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machupicchu (2400 mts/8’000 ft). A short walk brings us down to the entrance from where we continue by bus to the village of Aguas Calientes. Here we can choose to relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Day: 11 Visit Machu Picchu (Overnight Cusco).

After an early breakfast we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy sunrise in this magical place before other tourists arrive from Cusco.  The morning is dedicated to exploring the extraordinary site of Machu Picchu, where your guide will be on hand to explain and give you an insight into the life of the Incas at Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, we take the train and bus back to Cuzco and to our hotel.

Day: 12 Ecological Tour, Puerto Maldonado (Overnight Eco Lodge).

Fly out to Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon.  From here we transfer to boats and begin our magical journey along the Madre de Dios River.  Enjoy welcome drinks at the lodge and then with the help of our specialized guide we will visit Monkey Island, located only five minutes from the lodge.  On the way to the island, we pass many beautiful landscapes with all the flora and fauna that they host.  Return to the lodge for dinner and the amazing jungle sunset.

Day: 13 Eco Lodge (Overnight)

Say goodbye to our jungle hosts as we transfer back to Puerto Maldonado and catch our flight to Lima.  The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.  You may want to book a city tour.

Day: 15 Depart Peru.

Transfer to airport to catch your international flight.